Now, rent deed to be a valid proof of address for making passport

From now on, permanent address will not be an issue for those applying for a passport as applicants can submit their registered rent agreement as a valid proof of address where they have stayed as tenant for more than a year.

Passport applicants face a lot of difficulties during the clearing process, particularly if they reside in far off places for work or study purpose.

There has been a growing demand from various sections for the past couple of years to give relaxation in submitting the address proof. The union ministry of external affairs has been receiving such requests for a long time from the passport issuing authorities and the public at large to treat the registered rent agreement as one of the valid documents as proof of address.

The matter was discussed with the legal and treaties (L&T) division of the ministry and it was decided that the registered rent agreement duly registered under Section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908, and executed in favour of the tenant by the landlord for a period of more than one year will be accepted as a valid proof of address for the purpose of the submission of passport application.

Harmanbir Singh, regional passport officer, "Though we are relaxing the address proof norms, we will be very strict while inspecting whether the tenant has stayed in the given address for one year or more and the agreement is executed as per the rules notified in the act."